Cover Sheet

Brief Summary of Our School

Our teachers and students have always been passionate about learning and making changes to their lives and the world around them. Over the past two years, we have developed a greater emphasis on Environmental responsibilities and our role in the local, national, and global community.

Each grade level engages in Environmental Learning through a variety of different avenues. Some lessons take place outside, while others are taught inside with a focus on issues that impact the environment. Every grade level works on an Exhibition of Learning throughout the school year and shares their learning in the Spring. Last year, our 3rd graders spent the year learning about water and water quality. They learned about our local water sources as well as the water crisis in Kenya. They raised money to help a village in Kenya dig a well for safe drinking water. Our 5th graders spent last year learning all about the Chesapeake Bay and our relationship with it. The students at Fountaindale have taken a great interest in ventures that benefit the environment. We have student leaders that monitor and encourage recycling, reward energy conscious classrooms, and maintain a clean outdoor playground.

The Fountaindale Outdoor Learning Lab is a collaborative project between the staff at Fountaindale, the facilities department within our district, our local environmental experts, and state organizations. The goal of this project is to develop an outdoor space where students can go to engage in meaningful learning that they can directly connect to their lives and their community. With the help of Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage and a local Civil Engineering group, Frederick, Seibert & Associates, Inc, we have a design that not only provides a space for students to learn, but also has a positive impact on the land and Hamilton Run, a small stream in the Antietam Creek Watershed.

In an effort to educate ourselves and our students about our environment and that impact that we can have on it, we have developed partnerships with a wide variety of organizations and individuals. One of our first partnership was with Crellin Elementary from Garrett County. Following their recommendation, we reached out to our local environmental organizations and received a wealth of support and offers from watershed organizations, wildlife specialists, and environmental designers.

Top Five Accomplishments

Fountaindale Outdoor Learning Lab - A multi-acre area of our school site has been transformed into a usable space for teachers to take their classes and engage in learning outside. The first phase of work has been completed with another phase beginning at the end of April 2014.

Student Exhibitions of Learning - 3rd grade and 5th grade engaged in yearlong learning centered around water and water quality. This learning focused on local issues with the Chesapeake Bay and global issues regarding water quality in Africa.

Student Energy Conservation Team - A group of students generated the idea of forming a team whose goal is to reduce the energy consumption at our school. They have created flyers and signs that are displayed around the school and are active members of an "Energy Patrol."

Professional Learning - Teachers have been working to create personalized curriculum that uses Science and Social Studies as the backbone for instruction. Environmental education and place-based learning has been a focus. Over 50% of our staff has participated in some form of Environmental Professional Development.

Community Partnerships - Over the last two years, we have worked hard to develop relationships with a wide range of community members. We have recently been working with local bird watchers, Environmental Engineers, Watershed specialists, and a variety of other environmental experts. Our goal is to incorporate their expertise into our learning on a regular basis.